EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The Patriots gave the Jets the ball, and New York might carry it right into the playoffs.
Eric Decker's 6-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of overtime - after New England stunningly chose to kick off - lifted the Jets to a 26-20 victory Sunday that put New York in position to make the playoffs.
A win next week at Buffalo gives the Jets a wild-card berth.
"It was thrilling," Decker said. "Those are the moments that you cherish."
New England (12-3) won the OT coin toss and elected to kick to the Jets (10-5). Patriots coach Bill Belichick (BeliKICK?) said there was "no confusion" on the call; he'd done it once before in 2013, but a hefty wind was involved against Denver. That decision worked, this one flopped.
Special teams captain Matthew Slater called heads and won the toss. He told referee Clete Blakeman the Patriots wanted to kick in a specific direction. But once he said they wanted to kick, whatever followed didn't matter, according to NFL officiating chief Dean Blandino.
"I just thought we would be able to choose the direction we kicked off from," Slater said.
It was the third time since the 2012 rule change a team chose to kick off for OT. The other times, New England and Minnesota, were winners.
New York used a career-long 48-yard reception by Quincy Enunwa and a 20-yard pass to Brandon Marshall to move into scoring position. And then, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Decker on a fade behind Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for New York's fifth straight victory.
"The last five weeks, they've all kind of been do-or-die games for us, so that's how we've approached each one," Fitzpatrick said. "We've got to get the next one to get in and that's how we'll view it. This is a fun run."
Marshall had two touchdown catches and also became the first NFL player with 100 receptions in six seasons. Fitzpatrick tied a franchise record with 29 TD throws this season.
Neither has been to the playoffs in a combined 21 pro seasons.
"It feels real good," Marshall said. "I'm so proud of my teammates. ... I've never been more proud to be on a ballclub like this."
Tom Brady hit James White for a 9-yard score with 1:55 to go, forcing OT. That was the only drive on which Brady got comfortable against an aggressive defense that pressured and hit him all game.
It was also the most impact Rob Gronkowski had for the undermanned Patriots, who were missing top wideouts Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. The tight end had an 8-yard reception on fourth-and-1, then a 26-yarder to set up the touchdown.
"I think we have some mental toughness," Brady said. "A lot of guys have been in and out of the lineup. We have a lot of guys coming in off the street trying to play."
New England was surprisingly conservative on offense in the first quarter, then went the other way in the second period. Brady threw deep for the first time, connecting with Gronkowski, early in the quarter. The next play was a flea flicker that failed, followed by a reverse to Brandon LaFell for 9 yards and a run out of the wildcat by running back Brandon Bolden - with Brady spread wide right.
Some normalcy returned on fourth down with Brady's pass to James White for 13 yards, but New York's defense held and Stephen Gostkowski made a 35-yard field goal. He also kicked a 44-yarder.
The Jets weren't restrained on offense even after top back Chris Ivory left in the second quarter with a right knee problem. With strong contributions from Bilal Powell and former Patriot Stevan Ridley, the Jets marched 80 yards and went ahead 10-3 on Marshall's 2-yard reception, when he stretched his long right arm over the goal line before going out of bounds.
The halftime margin was New York's biggest over the Patriots since a 2010 playoff game the Jets won in Foxborough.
Their other points came on Randy Bullock's field goals of 30 and 49 yards.
Ivory returned in the second half and Marshall's 33-yard TD reception on which he appeared to push off safety Duron Harmon made it 17-3. It was his career-best 13th TD catch of the season and his 99th reception overall.
Jamie Collins' 14-yard fumble return on a third-quarter sack of Fitzpatrick by Jabaal Sheard made it 17-13. The nervousness among Jets fans in the crowd was palpable at that point.
It was over the edge in the Patriots' 66-yard drive to tie it.
But when Decker scored, Jets players stormed the field, leaping and hugging as if they'd made the playoffs. Could happen, thanks greatly to their archrival's overtime decision.
NOTES:New England sustained more injuries. OT Sebastian Vollmer (leg) left in the first quarter and OT LaAdrian Waddle (shoulder) went out in the fourth period, as did DB Justin Coleman (head). ... Fitzpatrick tied the team TDs passing record by Vinny Testaverde in 1998. ... Marshall had eight receptions for 115 yards, Fitzpatrick threw for 296 yards. ... Brady went 22 of 31 for 231 yards, one TD and an interception by Darrelle Revis.
View a collection of the best images from the Patriots regular season game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 27, 2015.
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Houston Texans.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) run on the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots running back Steven Jackson (39) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
D.J. Foster.
Brandon Bolden.
Brandon Bolden.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) stretches with teammates before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots fans watch their team warm up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass to Brandon Bolden (38) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots' Duron Harmon (30) and Tavon Wilson (27) tackle New York Jets' Bilal Powell (29) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots' Sebastian Vollmer (76) is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kony Ealy.
Kony Ealy.
Kyle Van Noy
Kyle Van Noy
New England Patriots' Darryl Roberts (28) is tackled by New York Jets' Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls out the defense during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Kyle Van Noy.
Kyle Van Noy.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, reaches for the ball as New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Kyle Van Noy.
Kyle Van Noy.
Rex Burkhead.
Rex Burkhead.
Tom Brady.
Rex Burkhead.
Alan Branch
Brandon Bolden.
New York Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (55) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots' Jabaal Sheard (93) strips the ball from New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots scored on the play. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by New York Jets' Ryan Fitzpatrick during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) avoids the rush during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls out to his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) is tackled by New York Jets' Erin Henderson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Cyrus Jones.
Cyrus Jones.
Jacoby Brissett.
Jacoby Brissett.
New England Patriots cornerback Darryl Roberts (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler (21) during the overtime period of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots' James White (28) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots' James White spikes the ball in front of New York Jets defensive back Rontez Miles (45) as teammate Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after White scored a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The officials meet New York Jets' Darrelle Revis (24), teammate Calvin Pryor (25) and New England Patriots' Matthew Slater (18) and teammate Rob Ninkovich (50) for the coin toss before the overtime period of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates with fans after making a touchdown catch to win during the overtime period of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' Calvin Pryor (25) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady leaves a news conferene after an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) responds to questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
